More than $430,000 in heating assistance grants, under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), have been awarded to agencies in the 3rd Legislative District by the state Department of Community Affairs.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly members John J. Burzichelli and Celeste Riley, who represent the 3rd District in Trenton, announced the grants.

“The grants announced today by the Department of Community Affairs will provide funding to help low-income residents in the 3rd District meet their heating costs. This is much-needed assistance for our residents, especially as we are beginning to experience bitter temperatures and as we are approaching even colder winter months,” said Sweeney.

“This funding will aid some of our most vulnerable residents who in many cases are struggling to keep up with the high cost of heating their homes in the winter months. Anytime we can help to take some of the financial burden off our residents, including seniors and those with living with disabilities, that is good news,” said Burzichelli.

“For so many of our low-income residents, the cost of heating over the next few months is going to put a tremendous strain on their finances. This funding will go a long way to help those in South Jersey who are trying hard but still finding it difficult to pay their energy bills,” said Riley.

The $436,157 in funding is administered through the Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Housing and Community Resources. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.

The organizations in the 3rd District grantees receiving funding include: